Bath-mat.



R. G. BUTTON.

BATH MATL APPLICATION FILED APR. 25. 1911.

Patented Dec. 5, 1911.

fl Tm M N B R 0 v. T m c T m A R WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATEFT @FFTQE.

ROBERT C. BUTTON, OF GENTBALIA, WASHINGTON.

BATH-MAT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT C. BUTTON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Centralia, in the county of Lewis and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bath- Mats, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in bath mats, or devices of a flexible character adapted to be spread upon a floor and to retain the water used for taking a shower or like form of bath.

The object of my invention is to improve and simplify such devices, particularly in the way of conveniences sanitation, and security from accidents.

My invention comprises the novel parts and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my invention in the form which is now preferred by me.

Figure 1 shows the device in position for use by a perspective View. Fig. 2 shows in plan, upon a larger scale, about one quarter of the whole mat. Fig. 3 shows the mat as lifted after use and for removing and emptying the water. Fig. 4 shows a bath mat adapted for use in giving a bath to a person when in bed.

My device is intended for use when taking shower, sponge and brush baths, or that kind where the water is discharged upon the body. The mat is composed of a piece of fabric of a waterproof character of whatever size is deemed necessary to satisfactorily catch the water used and prevent its wetting the floor. In saying that it should be waterproof I do not mean that it shall be absolutely impervious to water, but that it shall catch and prevent the passage of water to such a degree that the floor shall not get wet when it is used. For this purpose a heavy character of canvas will suflice. Other more highly impervious material may be used if desired. The edges of this mat, say from the dotted line outward, are turned up to form a retaining wall. The corners are provided with means for securing the adjacent side strips 2 together when raised. The means herein shown consist of providing them with complemental button and socket members or clasps 3, such as are used for securing gloves,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 25, 1911.

Patented Dec. 5, 1911.

Serial No. 623,301.

suspender cast-offs, etc. Any other suitable form of device may be used which will hold the adjacent sides when raised.

The sides between the corners are held raised when in use by any convenient means. That herein shown and now preferred by me is the following. Cords 5 have their ends passed through eyelet holes close to the outer edge of sides 2 and are provided with knots 51 or equivalent enlargements, at each side of said eyelets. The ends of these cords have one part of a fastener 6, secured thereto, the other part being secured to the bottom of the mat. These fasteners may be the same kind used at 3 to secure the corners, or of any other suitable form. The loop or central portion 50 of the cords is of considerable length to form convenient handles by which the mat may be lifted after use.

After the bath the loops 50 of cords 5 are gathered toward the center and then raised, lifting the edges of the mat first and running the water toward the center. The mat and the contained water may be carried off together, as is illustrated in Fig. 3. This mat has no corners permanently secured together, but will spread out flat, so that it can be perfectly cleansed, and when made of canvas may be washed and disinfected without injury. I consider a good grade of canvas as superior to rubber cloth, for the above reasons, although rubber coated cloth may be used if desired.

The mat as shown in Fig. 4 represents one designed for use in giving a bath in bed. The proportions of this are different from those before given, being of a size to receive a prone figure. Its sides would naturally be somewhat higher and at the corner a greater number of fasteners would be used, say three of the clasps or fasteners 3. Close to one side and about the middle of its length is placed a drain 8 to which is or may be connected a tube 9 through which the water as used may drain into a bucket 10 or other receptacle. The mat may be folded, and laid flat, the person to be bathed being rolled upon it, and also being rolled off after the bath is over.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A bath mat comprising a section of fabric having bordering sections adapted to fold upward to form sides, cords secured to the outer edge portions of the said bordering sections, the inner ends of the said cords and the bottom part of the mat having complemental securing means adapted to be disconnected.

2. A bath mat consisting of a piece of fabric adapted to have its edge turn up to form retaining side Walls, said side Walls each having a plurality of eyes spaced equally from each other and from the corners, a cord for each side having its ends passing through two of said eyes from the outside and knotted close at each side of the eyes, the ends of the said cord and the center portion of the mat being provided respectively with complemental parts of detachable securing means, that portion of said cords outside the mat being of a length to serveas handles for lifting the mat and its contained Water, and clasps for securing the corners of said side Walls.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature at Oentralia, Washington, this 28th day of February, 1911.

ROBERT C. BUTTON.

Witnesses:

LENNIE SEALE, T. H. MOCLEARY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

